From the Research
For shoulder dislocation pain management, the most effective as-needed (PRN) medications include NSAIDs such as ibuprofen (400-800mg every 6-8 hours) or naproxen (500mg twice daily), and acetaminophen (650-1000mg every 6 hours, maximum 4000mg daily), as recommended by the most recent study 1. These medications should be used for the shortest duration necessary, typically 3-7 days while the acute pain subsides. Some key points to consider when prescribing these medications include:
- NSAIDs work by reducing inflammation at the injury site but should be used cautiously in patients with kidney disease, heart conditions, or gastrointestinal issues.
- Acetaminophen provides pain relief without anti-inflammatory effects and is safer for those who cannot take NSAIDs.
- Opioids should be reserved for severe pain unresponsive to other medications due to their potential for dependence. Additional essential components of the pain management strategy include:
- Ice application (20 minutes every 2-3 hours)
- Proper immobilization with a sling
- Follow-up with an orthopedic specialist It's also worth noting that a study comparing acetaminophen and ibuprofen for rotator cuff-related shoulder pain found that ibuprofen provided improvement in pain severity and functional activity, while acetaminophen improved the physical and environmental domains of quality of life scores 2. However, the most recent and highest quality study on pharmacologic therapy for acute pain recommends acetaminophen and NSAIDs as first-line treatment options 1.